Time to bring back Cistanche extract on the scene.
This herb has a plethora of benefits and for anyone who is wondering, this herb is known as Rou Cong Rong in Chinese medicine.
It is said to be a Yang tonic that benefits the kidneys, essence, and marrow (which includes the "sea of marrow", ie. the brain), lubricates the intestines, and also warms the womb. It is often used for fertility disorders, lower back weakness, and cognitive decline.
SPERM PRODUCTION:
"the administration of CTE (0.4 and 0.8 g/kg) increased sperm count (2.3- and 2.7-folds) and sperm motility (1.3- and 1.4-folds) and decreased the abnormal sperm (0.76- and 0.6-folds). The serum level of progesterone and testosterone in rats was also increased by CTE administration (p < 0.05)... Our results suggest that the increase in sex hormone levels could be mediated by the induction of testicular steroidogenic enzymes."
PROTECTS AGAINST BPA-TOXICITY IN THE TESTICLES:
Echinacoside and Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) R. wight ameliorate bisphenol A-induced testicular and sperm damage in rats through gonad axis regulated steroidogenic enzymes [2016].
ENHANCES STEROIDOGENIC ENZYMES:
Improves StAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, and HSD17β3 protein expression.
Restore kisspeptin 1 (KiSS1), G protein-coupled receptor GPR 54, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3), and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in the hypothalamus and recover sex hormone level (Effect of Cistanche Tubulosa Extracts on Male Reproductive Function in Streptozotocin–Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Rats).
ECH increases testosterone and LH levels in serum, encephalon + pituitary and testis
POSSIBLE DHT ENHANCEMENT:
mRNA expression of molecules related to cholesterol transport [apolipoprotein B and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor] and metabolism [cytochrome P450 side chain cleave (SCC) and steroid 5alpha-reductase 2] were up-regulated.
TARGETS HYPOTHALAMIC ANDROGEN RECEPTOR:
Echinacoside Increases Sperm Quantity in Rats by Targeting the Hypothalamic Androgen Receptor
SIDE BENEFITS
HAIR GROWTH:
Efficacy of Cistanche Tubulosa and Laminaria Japonica Extracts (MK-R7) Supplement in Preventing Patterned Hair Loss and Promoting Scalp Health. - PubMed - NCBI
DOPAMINE ENHANCEMENT:
3.5. The Administration of C. deserticola Y.C.Ma and C. tubulosa Decoction Resulted in the Upregulation of Central Dopamine Concentration and the Downregulation of Serum Corticosterone Concentration.
ANTIDEPRESSANT/ANTI STRESS VIA MICROBIOME:
Antidepressant-Like Effects of Cistanche tubulosa Extract on Chronic Unpredictable Stress Rats Through Restoration of Gut Microbiota Homeostasis
The multiple efficacy of herb Cistanche decoction ranges between the aphrodisiac [14], immune-promoting [15], antioxidative [16], and hepatoprotective [17] properties. C. deserticola decoctions induce the testicular steroidogenic enzymes [18], promote penis erectile response, and shorten the latency period of erectile reaction in castrated rats [19]
Anti-aging Properties
Herba Cistanches possesses broad medicinal functions, especially for use in anti-senescence, anti-oxidation, neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, hepatoprotection, immunomodulation, anti-neoplastic, anti-osteoporosis and the promotion of bone formation. This review summarizes the up-to-date and comprehensive information on Herba Cistanches covering the aspects of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology, to lay ground for fully elucidating the potential mechanisms of Herba Cistanches’ anti-aging effect and promote its clinical application as an anti-aging herbal medicine.
Herba Cistanches: Anti-aging
Before you ask where to source this herb, I have tried literally 4-5 different extracts on the market, and finally landed on my favourite.
Tested it on a cyclist friend of mine and he already said he loves it after 5 days of consecutive use.
FULL DISCLOSURE:
I am reporting my affiliations with the exact product I ended up landing on here- Cistanche | Ergogenic Health
This herb has a plethora of benefits and for anyone who is wondering, this herb is known as Rou Cong Rong in Chinese medicine.
It is said to be a Yang tonic that benefits the kidneys, essence, and marrow (which includes the "sea of marrow", ie. the brain), lubricates the intestines, and also warms the womb. It is often used for fertility disorders, lower back weakness, and cognitive decline.
SPERM PRODUCTION:
"the administration of CTE (0.4 and 0.8 g/kg) increased sperm count (2.3- and 2.7-folds) and sperm motility (1.3- and 1.4-folds) and decreased the abnormal sperm (0.76- and 0.6-folds). The serum level of progesterone and testosterone in rats was also increased by CTE administration (p < 0.05)... Our results suggest that the increase in sex hormone levels could be mediated by the induction of testicular steroidogenic enzymes."
PROTECTS AGAINST BPA-TOXICITY IN THE TESTICLES:
Echinacoside and Cistanche tubulosa (Schenk) R. wight ameliorate bisphenol A-induced testicular and sperm damage in rats through gonad axis regulated steroidogenic enzymes [2016].
ENHANCES STEROIDOGENIC ENZYMES:
Improves StAR, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, and HSD17β3 protein expression.
Restore kisspeptin 1 (KiSS1), G protein-coupled receptor GPR 54, suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS-3), and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in the hypothalamus and recover sex hormone level (Effect of Cistanche Tubulosa Extracts on Male Reproductive Function in Streptozotocin–Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Rats).
ECH increases testosterone and LH levels in serum, encephalon + pituitary and testis
POSSIBLE DHT ENHANCEMENT:
mRNA expression of molecules related to cholesterol transport [apolipoprotein B and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor] and metabolism [cytochrome P450 side chain cleave (SCC) and steroid 5alpha-reductase 2] were up-regulated.
TARGETS HYPOTHALAMIC ANDROGEN RECEPTOR:
Echinacoside Increases Sperm Quantity in Rats by Targeting the Hypothalamic Androgen Receptor
SIDE BENEFITS
HAIR GROWTH:
Efficacy of Cistanche Tubulosa and Laminaria Japonica Extracts (MK-R7) Supplement in Preventing Patterned Hair Loss and Promoting Scalp Health. - PubMed - NCBI
DOPAMINE ENHANCEMENT:
3.5. The Administration of C. deserticola Y.C.Ma and C. tubulosa Decoction Resulted in the Upregulation of Central Dopamine Concentration and the Downregulation of Serum Corticosterone Concentration.
ANTIDEPRESSANT/ANTI STRESS VIA MICROBIOME:
Antidepressant-Like Effects of Cistanche tubulosa Extract on Chronic Unpredictable Stress Rats Through Restoration of Gut Microbiota Homeostasis
The multiple efficacy of herb Cistanche decoction ranges between the aphrodisiac [14], immune-promoting [15], antioxidative [16], and hepatoprotective [17] properties. C. deserticola decoctions induce the testicular steroidogenic enzymes [18], promote penis erectile response, and shorten the latency period of erectile reaction in castrated rats [19]
Anti-aging Properties
Herba Cistanches possesses broad medicinal functions, especially for use in anti-senescence, anti-oxidation, neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, hepatoprotection, immunomodulation, anti-neoplastic, anti-osteoporosis and the promotion of bone formation. This review summarizes the up-to-date and comprehensive information on Herba Cistanches covering the aspects of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology, to lay ground for fully elucidating the potential mechanisms of Herba Cistanches’ anti-aging effect and promote its clinical application as an anti-aging herbal medicine.
Herba Cistanches: Anti-aging
Before you ask where to source this herb, I have tried literally 4-5 different extracts on the market, and finally landed on my favourite.
Tested it on a cyclist friend of mine and he already said he loves it after 5 days of consecutive use.
FULL DISCLOSURE:
I am reporting my affiliations with the exact product I ended up landing on here- Cistanche | Ergogenic Health